Americans Have an Ideal Age to Die
(Getty/Creative-Family)
America’s population is growing older faster than ever, but how people feel about aging depends heavily on their income, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.
Nearly half of Americans age 65 and older say they believe they are aging either “extremely well” or “very well.” However, financial standing makes a big difference. Among seniors in the top income bracket — families earning $155,600 or more — 61% report aging very or extremely well. That number drops to 50% among middle-income seniors ($51,900 to $155,600) and 39% among those in the lowest bracket (under $51,900), according to the Washington Post.
Lower-income older adults were also more likely to experience mental confusion, face challenges with physical activities such as climbing stairs, and report less participation in hobbies or leisure pursuits.
Financial confidence also varied widely. About 72% of seniors in the highest income group said they were confident their money would last through retirement, compared to 46% in the middle bracket and just 21% among lower-income retirees. Meanwhile, 45% of adults under 65 expressed doubts that they will have enough saved to sustain them through retirement.
Only 37% of Americans age 65 and older rate their physical health as excellent or very good. Still, optimism remains strong — 66% say they feel positive about life, and 70% report having reliable social and emotional support networks.
When asked about control over the aging process, most respondents felt more confident about maintaining physical health (67%) and mobility (60%) than preserving mental sharpness (47%) or physical appearance (38%).
Overall, most Americans — about 76% — said they would like to live into their 80s or beyond, with the average ideal lifespan reaching age 91.
About Post Author
